2.2. IGNORANT CONDUCT (Judges 2:11 - 3:6)

The irresponsible conduct of the Judges period had at its root, ignorance. As other generations rose up, it is recorded:

Judges 2:10-11 "And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel. And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim:" (KJV)

Blind ignorance swiftly and surely led Israel into pagan faith and practice.

Judges 2:12"And they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the LORD to anger." (KJV)

Failure to fulfill our mandate to teach and disciple nations, provides a vacuum of ignorance in which pagan, occult practices flourish. Heed the Lord's command:

Matthew 28:19-20"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, ... Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you" (KJV)

The pattern of the time of the Judges is given in Judges 2:13-19:

	First there would be rebellion (Judges 2:13 ).
	Then retribution (Judges 2:14 ).
	Then repentance (Judges 2:16 ).
	Then restoration (Judges 2:16 ).
	Then repetition (Judges 2:17-19 ).
	With the death of a deliverer they behaved more corruptly (Judges 2:19 ).

God tested Israel when they did not cease from their stubborn waywardness (Judges 2:19 ).

Judges 2:21-22"I also will no longer drive out before them any of the nations which Joshua left when he died, so that through them I may test Israel, whether they will keep the ways of the LORD, to walk in them as their fathers kept them, or not." (NKJV)

God's purpose was to provide them with an opportunity to exercise faith and obedience. How well are you doing with the hostility, difficulties and situations God is allowing, to test you? Relationships can and do affect our faith.

Judges 3:5-6 "And the children of Israel dwelt among the Canaanites, Hittites, and Amorites, and Perizzites, and Hivites, and Jebusites: And they took their daughters to be their wives, and gave their daughters to their sons, and served their gods." (KJV)

God had commanded them not to intermarry with those practicing pagan religions, and warned of the outcome of departure from Him. (Deuteronomy 7:3-4 ).

2 Corinthians 6:14 "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?" (KJV)

(Read on to verse 18).

It is God's intention that Christians marry Christians, so that marriage may strengthen their faith. Those who are converted after marriage, and their partner remains unconverted should take Paul's advice in 1 Corinthians 6:15-17, and be comforted by it. Face up to the challenges of your faith and build your life on the Rock of "the faith", bearing witness to it by your conduct.

Jude 1:3 "Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." (KJV)

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. What will a generation do if they are ignorant of the Lord, and what responsibility are you to share? (Judges 2:10-11; Matthew 28:19-20 ).
2. Are you letting enemy hostility and difficult situations which God allows, affect your loyalty to the Lord? (Judges 2:21-22 ).
3. Can wrong relationships affect our faith? (Judges 3:5-6; Deuteronomy 7:3-4; 2 Corinthians 6:14 ).